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Question

What are the different layers of the atmosphere?What does atmosphere do?


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Solution

Atmosphere is a protective layer of gases that shelters all life on Earth, keeping temperatures within a relatively small range and blocking out harmful rays of sunlight.

An atmosphere is a blanket of gases that surrounds Earth. The atmosphere contains the air that we breathe It also helps retain the sun’s heat and prevents it from escaping back into space. Also, it protects life from harmful radiation from the sun.

Layers of atmosphere

Layers of Earth’s atmosphere are divided into five different layers as:

  • Troposphere
  • Stratosphere
  • Mesosphere
  • Thermosphere
  • Exosphere

Let us know about each of these layers in brief.

1.Troposphere

It is the lowest layer of Earth’s atmosphere. The troposphere starts at the surface of the earth and goes up to a height of 7 to 20 km. All the weather and climatic conditions occurs within this layer. This layer has water vapour and mature particles. Temperature decreases at the rate of 1 degree Celsius for every 165 m of height.

2.Stratosphere

The second layer of the atmosphere found above the troposphere. It extends up to 50 km of height. This layer is very dry as it contains little water vapour. It provides some advantages for flight because it is above stormy weather and has steady, strong, horizontal winds. The ozone layer is present in this layer.

3.Mesosphere

The Mesosphere is found above the stratosphere. It is the coldest of the atmospheric layers. The mesosphere starts at 50 km above the surface of Earth and goes up to 85 km. The temperature drops with altitude in this layer.

4.Thermosphere

This layer is found above Mesopause from 80 to 400 km. Radio waves that are transmitted from the earth are reflected by this layer. The temperature increases as the height increases.

5.Exosphere

It is the outermost layer of the atmosphere. The zone where molecules and atoms escape into space is mentioned as the exosphere. It extends from the top of the thermosphere up to 10,000 km.


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